Troublesome Morning Commute with Freezing Rain; Roof Loading an Issue

For this morning's commute, drivers could see up to an inch of mixed snow, sleet and freezing rain.

It ain't over yet. Jim Arnold, a weather specialist with Shrewsbury Emergency Management, said it looks like our ext bit of winter weather is arriving this morning in the form of snow, sleet, freezing rain .... and then finally rain. "A warm front approaching from the west and southwest late tonight and tomorrow will bring a wintry mix of precipitation beginning around dawn Monday and continuing throughout much of the day," said Arnold. The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory, corroborating Arnold's predictions with a forecast that also calls for freezing rain and sleet. The advisory is in effect from 6-11 a.m. on Monday. "Once again, we have cold air well established and it will take some time for it to be …

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Avoid a Roof Collapse: Clear Snow From Your Rooftop

Light, fluffy snow on rooftops can act as a sponge for rain, which is in the forecast for Monday. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency offers these tips.

With rain in Framingham's forecast for Monday, the Blizzard of '13 may not be finished wreaking havoc in Massachusetts. While temperatures dropped overnight on Friday resulting in light, fluffy snow, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, headquartered in Framingham, (MEMA) warns that fluffy snow piled high on roofs can act as a sponge, absorbing rain and adding additional stress to structures. Framingham, unofficially received 30 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Relatively flat roofs are particularly vulnerable, MEMA says. Saturday, there was a scanner report of a partial roof collapse on Concord Sreet, in the Saxonville section of Framingham. Framingham homewoners should also check to see if roof ice …

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UPDATED: When is the Travel Ban Ending?

MEMA, headquartered in Framingham, says don't call 911. Wait for updates.

UPDATED 1:01 p.m. Travel ban will end at 4 p.m. *** The statewide driving ban remains in effect, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency posted on its Facebook page around 11:15 this morning. MEMA officials say community members should stop calling 911 and their local public safety departments about this topic.  "Updates will be posted when decided," MEMA officials wrote. MEMA is headquartered in Framingham.

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You Ask, Patch Answers

What is a Gubernatorial State of Emergency?

Governor Deval Patrick has declared a State of Emergency, but what does that mean?

While speaking from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency bunker in Framingham, Governor Deval Patrick declared a state of emergency today banning car travel after 4 p.m. According to information from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, a state of emergency can involve different measures and does not always affect travel or private businesses. There may be a request for drivers to stay off the roads and for businesses to change their hours, but the governor may also order roads to be closed to non-emergency traffic. There has not been an ordered ban on travel since the Blizzard of '78. Violators could be fined up to $500 and be sentenced to a year in jail, although Governor Patrick says the main purpose is to get …

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Tips To Avoid Pipes Freezing

And tips on what to do if you have frozen pipes, including knowing where the shutoff valve is and how to turn the water off.

The following are tips from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, located in Framingham, on what to do to avoid your pipes from freezing and what to do if you find your pipes frozen:

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MEMA Offers Precautions for Cold Weather

Residents should take note of the precautions the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency advises they take in this stretch of cold weather.

Editor's Note: The following is from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, headquartered in Framingham.   “As we enter the time of year when we can expect extremely low temperatures and wind chills, we all must take precautions to minimize the dangers presented by such severe weather,” stated Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director Kurt Schwartz. “To that end, MEMA presents these cold weather safety tips.” Continue to follow MEMA updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MassEMA; Facebook at www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA. Download the free ping4alert! app to your Smartphone to receive important weather alerts and emergency messages from MEMA. Easy instructions are available at www.mass.gov/mema/mobileappp.

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Patch Facts

Hurricane Info Center: 5 Things and Counting

On the anniversary of the 2011 Snowtober storm, Framingham is expected to feel the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Lots of cancellations & closures.

Our daily column, 5 Things You Need to Know Today, will help you to get your day started and offer you some fodder for water cooler conversation. 1. All of the schools in Framingham are closed today; this includes the public school system, Marian High, Keefe Technical, McAuliffe Charter, Learning Center for the Deaf and St. Bridget School. Mass Bay Community College and Framingham State University are both closed too. 2. The MetroWest YMCA is closed. All jury service, including at Framingham District Court, has been cancelled. The Governor, speaking at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency in Framingham, recommended schools closes and private businesses consider closing too. Please check our list of closures on our Facebook page or…

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Susan Petroni

3:40 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012

UPDATE: Framingham State University has cancelled classes before 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday   more ›

Hurricane Sandy Will Be The First Big Test for MEMA's New Emergency App

Earlier this month, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency began using a new first-in-the-nation emergency alerting app, as part of its notifications to the public.

Earlier this month, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), headquartered in Framingham, began using a new first-in-the-nation emergency alerting app as part of its notifications to the public. Created by a firm in Nashua, NH, Ping4alerts! is a free mobile communications app, that can alert individuals about public safety and public health emergencies. Hurricane Sandy will give the app its first big test. MEMA contracted with the New Hampshire company to provide the service to the public. The service is 100 percent anonymous. Mobile numbers or email addresses are not required and the company does not retain information on its users, said CEO and President James Bender. Through geofencing technology, Ping4alerts! enables MEMA …

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Eye On Sandy: Storm Tips From Mass Emergency

From having cash on hand to trimming back branches, there are things you can do ahead of a dangerous storm.

With Hurricane Sandy following a track that could have a major impact on New England early next week, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is recommending actions people can take to minimize the potential damage from this storm. “Early planning and preparation can be the key to your safety,” said MEMA Director Kurt Schwartz in a press release. “It is important to use your time wisely and not wait until the last minute to ensure your family’s safety.” Forecasters are saying it will be Monday before Sandy would impact New England, so you do have some time to handle these items over the weekend. Here are some examples of steps you should be taking: Also, continue to follow MEMA updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MassEMA; …

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Officials Warn of Excessive Heat, Offer Tips to Keep Cool

With temperatures forecast for the high 90s Wednesday and Thursday, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency offers some suggestions for keeping cool.

The first excessive heat of the summer is expected to arrive Wednesday, when temperatures across Massachusetts could approach 100 degrees. The National Weather Service forecasts a high of 96 tomorrow and Thursday, before temperatures cool on Friday to 88. Framingham's three town beaches are scheduled to open Thursday, June 21. They will not be able to open a day early, due to lifeguard training and beach set up on Wednesday. A hazardous weather outlook, issued early Tuesday by the National Weather Service, states that a "high probability" exists of hot, humid conditions Wednesday and Thursday across the state. "Maximum heat indices should reach around 100 degrees both days, especially across the lower Connecticut River Valley, interior …

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